Note From Jimmy

Jimmy's not doing well at all.  Unfortunately, internet access has been very limited at his friend's house, where he's been staying.  He finally wrote this to me last night.  He asked me to share it with you all, so here it is: 

(first off, Reece sent him the second installment of donations, which was significant once again...)

I got the money (which is my lifeblood). Still have no income, waiting on tenncare
application.

 
  This whole thing has been and still is so devastating. Some days or times it feels like
its over for me no matter how hard I try to be strong but I don't want it to be over for me
yet. I'm still anemic. Today the doc said I came in at the start of this in very bad
condition. Just one thing after another.
 
   Doing chemo but not radiation yet because I don't yet have all my teeth removed yet
(the money to do so). The radiation could cause death if something like a tooth
abcess or something happens during the radiation (severe periodontal disease).
I've got the "feeding tube" and the "port" surgically installed.
 
   Have had the help of my friend taking me to treatments etc but that's coming to an end
as he and his wife don't want the burden anymore. Maybe that sounds cold on their
part but they have been so much help to this point so I give thanks for that as it's time
for me to carry on and do something.
 
   The doc is pulling for me (oncologist) so with the prayers and support from people
like you all (will you keep on and ask others). Maybe let them know on the forum how much help they have been so far and ask for continued prayers and support.
 
  I realize the financial aspect/support has been done and I really don't know what I
would have done without it. Now what's left is for my asking of the prayers as you
forum members are everything to me right now. Hopefully I can get back to letting
you all know what's going on when I can get some strength to comment.

Man, poor Jimmy.  I'm still pulling for ya buddy.

"Some days or times it feels like its over for me no matter how hard I try to be strong but I don't want it to be over for me yet."
 
Wow, that is scary. I know exactly what he is saying, in fact, even now that I am in a "recovery" stage, I still feel it. I had the advantage of a wife who was here 24/7, I had a ride to treatment at all times, a roof over my head, bills paid, all of that was covered. Not so for Jimmy, and when the whole world is coming down around your head and inside your head, wow...scary. While I am just hoping the next scan will tell me that we caught everything, there are no gaurantees. It really can mess with your head at times. I don't want it to be over, I'm too young....scary

I am so impressed with the amount of money that was collected here...considering the connection is only a forum....every one of you should feel very good about yourselves for your help.

Most likely the tenncare will pay for things in time, I am on pennsylvania's medical assistance, which is really just medicaid. Well, it is either medicaid or medicare, the one is federal, the other is state, and for someone who is not yet 65 it is handled by the state. But what they did was tell me directly to keep all of my bills in a pile, and that they would all be handled at one time...which is exactly what happened. My total came to around eightythousand, but I did not need the dental work, all of my teeth were already gone (who knew that would be a plus?), and I think I got to treatment earlier that Jimmy did.

Probably should not be writing this like he is not going to see it...sorry 'bout that, Jimmy.

Hang in there. I know that is not much help, but it is all I've got to offer....

Later
Albert

 
Thanks for the update Janet.
 
My sincerest best wishes Jimmy.

Thanks Janet.

It's so disheartening to hear that the oral surgeon will not kick in and help with pulling Jimmy's teeth.

What's that guys name?

There's got to be someone near Jimmy who will help with that... are there any people in Tennessee who have any connections?

Maybe we can take up a specific collection for the oral surgeon to get it done?

Just throwing out ideas...

I love you Jimmy.... stay strong!!!


best regards,
mike
 

Thanks Janet, thinking of you Jimmy

Thanks Janet for posting (update) on Jimmy.

This is really sad news, it's hard to know what to say as it leaves me feeling numb as I think about what my sister went thru. All I can say to Jimmy is to hang on and don't ever give up. You have a ton of support from people who care and I also send my prayers to you for a recovery. Wish you all the very best.

You take care also Albert.  Wishing everyone all the very best!

dlogan


There are going to be peaks and valleys in this struggle Jimmy's going through, but it's hard to hear about the tough stretch he's going through right now. He's risilient though.

I appreciate the update Janet!

The guitar player in my band is a dentist and a couple of times a year he gives free dental care to people without insurance (he and the partner of his practice just saw over 180 patients a few ago for free). There are probably other things like this available in Jimmy's area and next time I see my friend I'll ask him if he knows of any way to find this.

Dave, there is a place such as this in the town Jimmy lives in. I've contacted them, and have made an arrangement for Jimmy to get seen and treated. He needs to get a consent form from his Dr. and take it in to them. Janet has sent a message to Jimmy along with my contact information, so they can contact me regarding payment. We are just waiting for Jimmy to get the message.
 
Here's hoping he gets the message soon.
 
Randy

rsp@odyssey.net

dlogan


There are going to be peaks and valleys in this struggle Jimmy's going through, but it's hard to hear about the tough stretch he's going through right now. He's risilient though.

I appreciate the update Janet!

The guitar player in my band is a dentist and a couple of times a year he gives free dental care to people without insurance (he and the partner of his practice just saw over 180 patients a few ago for free). There are probably other things like this available in Jimmy's area and next time I see my friend I'll ask him if he knows of any way to find this.

Dave, there is a place such as this in the town Jimmy lives in. I've contacted them, and have made an arrangement for Jimmy to get seen and treated. He needs to get a consent form from his Dr. and take it in to them. Janet has sent a message to Jimmy along with my contact information, so they can contact me regarding payment. We are just waiting for Jimmy to get the message.
 
Here's hoping he gets the message soon.
 
Randy

Good deal - you're awesome Randster.

As Dave said, Awesome, Randy. Let's hope your efforts pay off.
Wow, impressive is not a big enough word.

Later
Albert

Jimmy just emailed me last night, so he must have gotten the note from Randy.  Not sure whether he checked the forums or not, but hopefully he'll be able to keep in touch and we'll be able to see some good things happen for him. 

 Keep the faith brother Jimmy, very cool Randy, hope Jimmy gets the message. Thanks Janet.

Thanks to everybody for the messages and comments. I'm not doing anything alot of us haven't already done, and that's try and help Jimmy.

I'd like to make a couple of things clear. What I've done to this point is make phone calls. I've got a knack for cutting through red tape, and getting to the right people to get the right information. That's what I've done to this point. There is a statewide clinic in Tennessee, and they have a facility in Clarksville where Jimmy lives. I contacted them, and they have a dental clinic staffed with Oral Surgeons, along with a full medical facility. They specialize in treating anyone, regardless of financial means. There are small co-pays that need to be paid when someone goes there. There is no appointment needed.

I've just gathered some information for Jimmy, that hopefully he can use to get some help. I've offered to take care of the initial copay's which are small, and the facility said they can treat him in lieu of the state health care program kicking in, which can take some time. If for some reason his Tenncare application doesn't get approved, this place will still treat him.

My hope is that Jimmy is able to take advantage of this place, and get some help for his condition. At this point, I know Janet has sent him the information. So now, we just wait and hope the word is good.

Randy

Good thought Reece.  I actually just copied and pasted Randy's note, so it came from me.  You don't have his phone #, do you?

no, all I have is email and physical mailing address, no phone number.

in fact he may not even have a phone right now without a job or income.